Average pay for North Carolina’s teachers increased by 9.5%, or $2,741, in just the last year to reach $53,975. As recently as 2013-14, average teacher pay in the state was just $44,490.

“Moving up 18 spots in national teacher pay rankings is a remarkable turnaround for our educators, and I’m proud of my House colleagues for their commitment to rewarding teachers for the incredible impact they have on our students and communities,” said state House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland).

After Republican state budgets produced five consecutive pay raises for teachers in North Carolina, over 44,000 educators – nearly half – have received at least a $10,000 raise. More than 18,000 received a raise as high as $14,000.

The total average percentage pay increase for North Carolina teachers since 2013 is 19%, or $8,600. The raises represent a $233,000 increase in lifetime earning potential of a North Carolina teacher since 2013.

“Consistently budgeting better educator pay over the long-term was most important to getting teachers the higher salaries they deserve,” said Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union), a House K-12 Education Committee co-chair.

“More than one-third of states have seen North Carolina pass them by in average teacher pay just the last few years.”

Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes), a public school teacher for 18 years and co-chair of the House K-12 Education Committee, said raising teacher pay is just one of the state General Assembly’s education priorities under Republican leadership.

“The state budget is finally in a responsible place where we have not only dramatically increased teacher pay, we are spending billions more every year on education and looking ahead to capital investments for school facilities thanks to our AAA credit rating and growing economy,” Elmore said.

There are more than 92,000 public school teachers serving North Carolina students today.